Volcano Chaos Brings Remote Working Plans Into Effect

Advice from Network Defence cover contingency planning to enable fast implementation of remote working plans in the event of circumstances which prevent workers from travelling

Network Defence is advising companies to test their remote working solutions and evaluate business contingency plans before they get severely tested by unpredictable events and emergency situations.

Last month the giant ash cloud from the Icelandic volcano EyjafjallajÃ¶kull brought disruption to businesses worldwide, leaving thousands of employees stranded from homes and workplaces for six days.

With scientists now fearing an eruption of the much bigger Icelandic volcano Katla, which would put the present air travel chaos in the shade and inflict much greater economic losses upon business, and the latest strike action from British Airways, which threatens to disrupt flights for weeks, Network Defence is urging companies to ensure they have robust remote working and contingency solutions in place to maintain effective business operations in case of another high impact event.

Key points to consider when putting together an effective disaster contingency plan include:

â€¢ Identify frequent flyers and highly mobile employees
â€¢ Work out how little the employee will need to survive and maintain productivity - is a Smartphone sufficient or will they need more?
â€¢ If staff need to be available by phone for their job consider routing calls to them using IP telephony.
â€¢ If employees need access to the company network to continue working effectively, ensure a secure, flexible remote working solution is in place
â€¢ Ensure appropriate security measures are implemented on the chosen device/devices

Dave Beesley, Managing Director for Network Defence, said: "Businesses across the UK were hit extremely hard by last month's flight ban, and with the volcano still erupting and warnings of further volcanic eruptions, organisations need to ensure they have necessary resources in place such as a remote working solution that is secure and flexible enough to scale quickly, to accommodate unexpected events.

"Companies need to be smart about maintaining business continuity, and by using smart IT solutions to keep employees working effectively no matter where they are, they will help minimise the impact of even the worst unexpected event on their business."